Johannesburg – Bakwena Productions Media Group (Bakwena) has rejected “any narrative suggesting that the current production challenges” were a result of its failures.
Commenting a day after the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) pulled the plug on “Pimville,” Bakwena said it “rejects any narrative suggesting that the current production challenges arose as a result of failures attributable to the production company”.
In a statement on Wednesday, 37 May 2026, Bakwena said it notes “with serious concerns the public statement issued by the SABC on 25 May 2026 regarding the production status of ‘Pimville’ that was airing on SABC 2, notably the discontinuation of the series due to an alleged contractual breach”.
Bakwena said it rejects any narrative suggesting that the current production challenges arose as a result of failures attributable to the production company.
“The documentary evidence submitted to the SABC Executive Committee, Board structures, and Legal Division presents a materially different account of events,” Bakwena said.
“On 12 May 2026, Bakwena’s legal representatives delivered a comprehensive legal notice to the SABC leadership detailing repeated contractual breaches, delayed approvals, operational challenges, governance inconsistencies, and payment defaults committed by the SABC that significantly impacted the sustainability of the production, resulting in funding shortfalls.”
Bakwena stated that this correspondence was supported by extensive documentary evidence, including approved budgets, payment schedules, production records, operational reports, financial reconciliations, invoices, and correspondence.
In addition,Bakwena stated that it provided proof of continued delivery.
“Substantial outstanding payments remain due to Bakwena, including unpaid milestone obligation, contrary to the SABC’s claims of up-to-date payments,” Bakwena said.
“These outstanding payments have created operational constraints and a severe strain on the broader production ecosystem, which the SABC statement fails to acknowledge and address.
“Despite these increasingly difficult circumstances, Bakwena diligently delivered episodes.”
A production of this magnitude, with a star-studded cast, becomes unsustainable when the commissioning broadcaster withholds agreed contractual funding necessary to sustain operations.
The production company said this was particularly so where “the approved production budget was materially reduced by approximately 38% without due process, and in circumstances where Bakwena was informed that such reductions were being implemented to support new productions at the SABC”.
Bakwena said it also notes with deep concern the negative impact the discontinuation of “Pimville” will have on the livelihoods of its cast and crew members.
“Equally concerning are threats from the SABC to remove Bakwena and appoint another producer while the existing Production Agreement remains in place and legal processes are still ongoing,” Bakwena stated.
“In the interests of continuity and stability, Bakwena urges the SABC to reconsider any decision to remove Bakwena as producers of Pimville, for the sake of the cast, crew, and the long-term integrity of the production.
“Pimville is not merely a television production for the broader Bakwena team. It represents years of sacrifice, creative investment, resilience, and legacy-building, including the vision of Bakwena Production Media Group.
“It is a story and legacy for all, and the viewers who tuned in to watch.”
Bakwena said it will pursue all legal remedies available to protect its contractual rights and the future of the production.
